Love Goodly is a non-toxic and cruelty-free vegan subscription box that sends a mix of 4-5 full-size beauty, wellness, and lifestyle items every other month for $34.95 (with free shipping). They also offer a VIP subscription for $48.95, which comes with an additional full-size product (or two). Every purchase supports a different cause each month.
This review is for the VIP subscription for $48.95 every other month.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
Note to Canadian Customers: "As of October 28, 2022: At this time, we have paused shipping our bi-monthly subscription boxes and prepaid box plans to Canada; however, you can still purchase the Single Essential or Single VIP Box to ship to Canada. Current active Canada customers are not affected."
Inside the April/May 2024 Box
Welcome to the April/May Love Goodly box. This month's shipment was teeming with good, natural scents, and I couldn't wait to dig in!
Info about each product is listed inside the folded card. Here you'll also find a little about which charity this month's box supports, plus a 15% a discount code for purchases made from their shop. Typically the month's products are available in the Love Goodly shop shop a little after the box launches, so if you need to re-up on a product you fell in love with, it'll be there waiting for you to buy with your 15% discount.
In this Love Goodly delivery there are two woman-owned/co-founded brands that have sustainable practices and low-waste models. Let's explore them together!
NYL Skincare Here Comes the Calm Correcting Body Balm, 2 oz – Retail Value $38
Oh how I love a balm. It's through my multiple skincare subscriptions that I've grown a particular appreciation for balms, as there's nothing quite like their thick, resinous consistency to make you feel cared for by the depth of their healing. This one is charged up with tamanu & amaranth, which are a tropical nut and a plant with edible leaves and seeds respectively. I don't have enough familiarity with these particular ingredients to know where the spicy, earthy scent is coming from, but the richness has a potent calming aromatherapy, and the deep mustard color speaks to my soul.
This balm is meant to nourish the skin all over the body, with the power to soothe symptoms of eczema and dry, itchy, chapped, and cracked skin, as well as to protect against harsh weather. In general this balm feels a little too heavy for my face (and indeed is called a "body balm"), but I had a scratch on my nose that was scabbing, so I dabbed some on that spot to promote healing—it just felt right.
J&L Naturals Hydrate Face Salve, 1.5 oz – Retail Value $16.99
A not-too-distant relative of the deeply enriching balm above is this face salve. It's lighter but just as soothing and hydrating. I love that it comes in a cardboard container. I see that J&L Naturals offers a variety of face salves, each targeting a different goal, and we were sent the Hydrate one for dry or flaky skin. Typically I associate the long winter months with dryer skin, but I've been noticing the need for this balm this week—my kids and I are beginning to wear repeat applications of sunscreen for long days spent outside, and then giving ourselves a good scrub before bed—it's leaving our skin needing to be nourished.
When I first opened this container and gave the salve a gentle rub with my finger tips, the lightest coating transferred, and oh how nice. You can see that in the first photo above. When I later carried it up to my bathroom and read the directions, I noticed it's meant to be applied to damp skin, so with my fingers still damp from a face rinse, I rubbed them over the salve again, and the balm loosened readily, releasing in thicker clumps and providing for a thicker and incredibly hydrating application before bed. My skin felt amazing! The many oils combined to make this balm are enhanced with cedarwood and ylang ylang essential oils, so the gentle scent is very natural and pleasant. My two-year-old has really connected with this balm and loves applying it to her face before bed, too.
J&L Naturals Loofah Pads, 2 count – Retail Value $8.99
I'm tickled by the timing of these loofas' arrival—my five-year-old noticed the loopy plastic loofahs in the grocery store for the first time recently and was very interested in them. I declined the impulse purchase because I just can't shake the idea of how much bacteria is held in those things, not to mention the fact that they've taken something natural and biodegradable and removed those qualities. So while these natural loofahs might not be bright pink or frilly to the eye, they serve the purpose of a gently exfoliating wash in a much more satisfying, holistic way. The interesting texture, perfect rectangle, and little hanging loop on these two are delightful in their own way. I can see us stocking up on more in the future.
Ascentra Wellness Achelois Cramp Relief Blend, 15 mL – Retail Value $29.95
Wow, I've never received anything like this in a subscription before. It's a cramp relief elixir for menstrual comfort or to soothe symptoms of endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, fibroids, and PCOS—specifically to offer pain relief, anxiety reduction, and care for neural, muscular, and spasmodic symptoms. It came alongside two cards with an intro and instructions, informing us that this elixir can be used internally or topically.
It's natural to feel leery of a consumable tincture that arrives in a subscription (aka, not one you purchased after research and consideration), but I'm encouraged by the plentiful information on the brand's website, including lab testing results. Bolstered by what I read there, I decided to give this tincture a try orally. There are measurements on the dropper, and the instructions say to start with 1/4-1/2 mL, which is just 1-2 drops, at the onset of PMS. That's right now for me! The flavor is a cinnamon-floral burst, and it's suggested to take this 2-3 times per day (I'm not convinced I'll remember to do that but we'll see), and then increase to a full dropper-ful when your period starts. Bloating and cramping are common symptoms of PMS and menstruation for me, so I'm curious to see if I notice a tangible difference.
NYL Skincare Like Velvet Nourishing Face Oil, 1 fl oz – Retail Value $75
For VIP members, the additional product of the month is this nourishing face oil. It's made with over 15 herb-infused oils and rich in antioxidants, and meant to reduce redness and irritation, as well as to minimize fine lines and wrinkles. I must be getting old, because it seems a skincare item that maintains a youthful appearance comes in every box lately. Ha!
I do sometimes press face oils directly onto target areas of my face for a boost of hydration, but more commonly I add a couple of drops into my daily moisturizer, which right now is one from Earth Harbor. The scent of this oil is light, fruity, and faintly floral thanks to rosehip extract and pomegranate.
Verdict
I wasn't expecting to need the deep nourishment provided by this Love Goodly delivery's multiple sources. They knew my needs better than I did—the balm, the salve, and the face oil are all in heavy rotation for me since their arrival. The loofah duo is a great addition to the box, and the herbal elixir is a unique product that really piqued my curiosity. Great month with Love Goodly!
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To Wrap Up
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, sign up today to receive this box. The June/July 2024 box renews on May 28, 2024.
Note to Canadian Customers: "As of October 28, 2022: At this time, we have paused shipping our bi-monthly subscription boxes and prepaid box plans to Canada; however, you can still purchase the Single Essential or Single VIP Box to ship to Canada. Current active Canada customers are not affected."
Value Breakdown: The Love Goodly bi-monthly VIP box costs $48.95 + free US shipping. VIP subscribers received 5 items this month. That breaks down to $9.79 per item. The total retail value inside the VIP box is $167.93. Non-VIP subscribers are promised a value of $70+, and I added everything from the regular subscription up to a total of $93.93. Fantastic value, as always.
What did you think of this April/May Love Goodly box?
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